Recycled Activewear Fabrics and GRS: What Brands Need to Know
More activewear brands want recycled fabrics, and more retailers and customers ask for proof. This guide explains recycled polyester and nylon, what GRS does and does not cover, and how to make claims your documents can support.
- Compare fabrics, not fiber names. Performance depends on the specific fabric.
- Recycled content is rarely 100%. Spandex is usually not recycled, so confirm the percentage.
- GRS fabric is not the same as a GRS garment. Finished-product claims depend on the whole chain.
- Match your wording to your documents for the selected fabric and order.
- Confirm the fabric before sampling. Recycled options affect cost, minimums and timing.
Recycled polyester vs recycled nylon
| Recycled polyester | Recycled nylon | |
|---|---|---|
| Common sources | Post-consumer plastic bottles and textile waste | Pre- and post-consumer waste, such as production scraps and used nets |
| Typical garments | Leggings, tops, jackets and other Cut & Sew styles | Leggings, bras, shorts and close-to-body tops |
| What to review | Composition, recycled percentage, weight, stretch, opacity, finish and color | Composition, recycled percentage, hand feel, stretch, recovery, opacity and color |
The fiber behaves much like its standard version, so the usual differences apply: nylon tends to feel softer, while polyester dries fast and suits printing. Read our nylon vs polyester guide. Still, the fiber name alone does not define how a finished fabric performs, so compare specific fabric references against your brief.
How much of the fabric is actually recycled?
Activewear fabrics are blends. A fabric of 78% recycled nylon and 22% spandex can be at most 78% recycled, because spandex is usually not recycled. Some fabrics also blend recycled and standard yarns, so the recycled share can be lower than the fiber name suggests. Always confirm the full composition and the recycled percentage for the fabric you select, along with the evidence available for it.
What is GRS?
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a standard owned by Textile Exchange. It verifies recycled content and tracks it through the supply chain, and it also sets social, environmental and chemical requirements. Products generally need at least 20% recycled content to be certified, and at least 50% to carry the GRS label. Standards change, so check the current version with your certification body.
GRS fabric vs GRS garment
This is the point most brands miss. GRS works as a chain of custody: each company that takes ownership of the material along the supply chain has its own role in keeping that chain intact. So buying a fabric with GRS documentation does not, on its own, make your finished garment GRS-certified, and it does not give you the right to use the GRS logo.
| What you want to say | What to check first |
|---|---|
| “Made with recycled nylon” | Composition and recycled-content documents for the selected fabric |
| “Contains 70% recycled polyester” | The confirmed recycled percentage of the finished product |
| “GRS certified” or the GRS logo | The full chain of custody and the rules for that claim, with your certification body |
Any recycled-content or certification wording should match the documents available for the selected fabric and order. Tell us early if you need a specific claim, so we can review what is possible before you print hangtags or write product pages. Advertising rules on environmental claims also vary by market, so check the rules where you sell.
Documents to ask about
- Fabric composition: the full fiber blend of the selected fabric.
- Recycled-content evidence: what is available for that fabric and for your order.
- Scope certificate: shows which company and which products a certification covers. Check the company name, product categories and expiry date.
- Transaction certificate: ties certified material to a specific shipment.
- Test reports: separate from recycled content. OEKO-TEX test reports from our fabric suppliers are available on request.
How we develop a recycled style
- Brief: share the garment category, intended activity, fit and material requirements.
- Shortlist: compare available fabrics, specifications, colors, minimums and timing.
- Documents: check the available composition and recycled-content documents for the selected material and order.
- Sample: approve the fabric and fit, and record the approved fabric, color, measurements and construction.
Our recycled options are developed for Cut & Sew styles. See the full process on our recycled materials page.
What to put in your brief
- Fiber direction: recycled nylon, recycled polyester or either.
- Target recycled percentage and any claim you plan to make.
- Fabric weight, stretch, opacity and hand feel.
- Stock or custom color.
- Estimated quantity and launch date.
Add these details to your tech pack if you have one.
Cost, minimums and timing
Recycled fabrics usually cost more than standard fabrics of a similar weight; see our leggings cost guide. Material minimums and timing depend on the fabric and color, so we confirm them after the fabric shortlist is reviewed, rather than quoting one fixed figure. Stock colors are usually the simplest route. Custom colors go through a dyeing route that can affect both. Build this into your launch plan and your sampling timeline.
Common mistakes with recycled claims
- Assuming a recycled fabric means a “100% recycled” garment.
- Printing “GRS certified” because the fabric supplier holds a certificate.
- Choosing by fiber name without testing stretch and opacity.
- Writing product copy before the fabric and documents are confirmed.
- Asking about documents only after bulk production.
Planning a line? Explore our custom leggings and sports bras, or read how to start a private label activewear brand.
Frequently asked questions
What is GRS certification?
The Global Recycled Standard (GRS) is a Textile Exchange standard that verifies recycled content and tracks it through the supply chain, along with social, environmental and chemical requirements.
How much recycled content does GRS require?
Certified products generally need at least 20% recycled content, and at least 50% to carry the GRS label on the product. Check the current standard with your certification body.
If the fabric is GRS-certified, is my finished garment GRS-certified?
Not automatically. Fabric documentation does not by itself confirm certification of a finished garment order. Claims about the finished product depend on the whole chain of custody, so confirm them before you print anything.
Is recycled nylon or recycled polyester better for leggings?
It depends on the fabric, not only the fiber. Recycled nylon suits leggings, bras and close-to-body tops; recycled polyester suits leggings, tops and jackets. Compare specific fabrics for hand feel, stretch, opacity and color.
Are recycled activewear fabrics more expensive?
Usually, yes. Recycled fabrics generally cost more than standard fabrics, and material minimums and timing are confirmed once a fabric is shortlisted.
Can leggings be 100% recycled?
Rarely. Most leggings contain spandex for stretch, and that part is usually not recycled. A blend’s recycled percentage is confirmed for each fabric.
Planning a recycled collection?
Tell us the garment, the recycled content you want and any documents you need. We review available fabrics and reply with a quote within 24 hours. Only your work email is required.
- A tech packShare technical drawings, measurements and material requirements.
- A reference productShare a photo, product link or sample, with the details you want to develop.
- An early ideaDescribe the category, intended activity and wearing experience.